COVID-19

In response to COVID-19, the City of Surprise is communicating with public health partners at the regional, state, and national level to make sure we’re working together to provide the most accurate and timely information to our community and to safeguard the health and safety of our residents.

National Status

On April 16, 2020, President Trump announced guidelines for “Opening Up America Again,” a three-phased approach based on the advice of public health experts. These steps will help state and local officials when reopening their economies, getting people back to work, and continuing to protect American lives. https://www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica/

The CDC released guidance for cleaning and disinfecting public spaces, workplaces, businesses, schools, and homes to help address COVID-19 concerns as reopening occurs. Learn more…

State Status

“Reducing the Risk, Slowing the Spread – Limiting Indoor Dining” Executive Order – This executive order, issued July 9, 2020 by Governor Ducey, requires restaurants with indoor seating to operate at less than 50 percent capacity, gives additional guidance on distancing of outdoor dining, and orders the closing of all buffets, cafeteria style or self-serve food bars at restaurants.

Read the News Release | Read the Executive Order

“Pausing of Arizona’s Reopening – Slowing the Spread of COVID-19” Executive Order – This executive order, issued June 29, 2020 by Governor Ducey, paused operations of the following establishments until July 27, 2020: Bars with a series 6 or 7 liquor license from the Department of Liquor Licenses and Control (these entities may provide take-out and curbside service); Indoor gyms and fitness clubs or centers; Indoor movie theaters; Water parks; And tubing operators.

 Read the News Release | Read the Executive Order

“Containing the Spread of COVID-19” Executive Order – This Executive Order, issued June 17, 2020 by Governor Ducey, implements enhanced actions to contain the spread of the virus and protect Arizona’s most vulnerable residents. The announced actions build on Arizona’s substantial efforts to boost testing, expand contact tracing, secure PPE for health care and frontline workers, fast-track resources to the most affected areas and more.

Read the News Release | Read the Executive Order

Requirements for Restaurants and Bars Providing Dine-In Services (6.17.20)

Requirements for Businesses (6.17.20)

Retailers (Open May 4) - The order also outlines guidance for the opening of some retailers on May 4, with additional modifications on May 8.

Read the News Release │Read the Executive Order │Read Governor & ADHS Reopening Guidelines for Retail Businesses & Customers | Requirements for Businesses (NEW)

Barbers and Cosmetologists (Open May 8) – Effective Friday, May 8, 2020, barbers and cosmetologists may resume operations provided they establish and implement protocols and best practices for businesses to address COVID-19.

Read the News Release | Read the Executive Order | Read the Guidance | Requirements for Businesses (NEW)

Restaurants and Coffee Shops (Dine-in May 11) - Effective Monday, May 11, 2020, dine-in services may resume provided they establish and implement protocols and best practices for businesses to address COVID-19. UPDATE ON BARS: Operations must be paused until July 27, 2020 at bars with a series 6 or 7 liquor license from the Department of Liquor Licenses and Control (these entities may provide take-out and curbside service) per the Governor’s June 29 Executive Order.

Read the News Release | Read the May 11 Executive Order | Read the Guidance

Requirements for Restaurants and Bars Providing Dine-In Services (NEW)

June 29 Executive Order pausing Bar operations

July 9 Executive Order limiting indoor dining to less than 50% capacity

Pools (Open May 13) – Effective Wednesday, May 13, pools may reopen with physical distancing and enhanced sanitation. Effective June 29, Pools operated as part of a public accommodation, such as those at hotels but not those at multi-housing complexes, shall prohibit groups larger than 10 from congregating together in or near the pool. Privately owned pools located in public areas such as those at multi-housing complexes or other privately owned facilities may continue to be open provided that signage is included at all entrances to the pool reminding people to maintain physical distance and that groups larger than 10 should not congregate.

Read the News Release | Read the May 13 Executive Order | Read the Guidance

Read the June 29 Executive Order

Gyms & Fitness Providers – Effective June 29, indoor gyms and fitness clubs or centers must pause operations until July 27, 2020.

Read the June 29 Executive Order

Spas (Open May 13) – Effective Wednesday, May 13, spas may reopen with physical distancing and enhanced sanitation

Read the News Release | Read the Executive Order | Read the Guidance | Requirements for Businesses (NEW)

Major League Sports (Open May 16) - Effective Saturday, May 16, major league sports can resume limited reopening, without fans.

Read the News Release | Read the Executive Order

Organized Youth Sports & Activities – Effective Thursday, May 28, organized youth sports and activities can resume. (Note: City of Surprise has not yet determined when these activities will resume.)

Read the Guidance

Places of Worship - While never formally closed, many places of worship opted to temporarily change or suspend services in order to follow physical distancing guidelines. As they resume operations, the Arizona Department of Health Services released guidance for enhanced physical distancing and safety precautions.

 Read the News Release | Read the Executive Order | Read the Guidance

Schools - On June 29, Governor Doug Ducey signed an Executive Order delaying the first day of school for in-person learning until August 17, 2020. Schools will be able to conduct distance learning should they choose before then.

Presidential Major Disaster Declaration - On April 4, President Trump in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved Arizona’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for the state. The declaration makes available additional federal assets and resources to aid Arizona’s COVID-19 response efforts. Learn more…

COVID-19 Case Data - For information on the number of COVID-19 cases in Arizona, Maricopa County and by zip code, as well as the current state recommendations related to distancing, gatherings, and essential businesses, visit www.azdhs.gov.

City of Surprise Status & Impacts

Face Covering Requirement:

In an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, the Surprise City Council has issued a Declaration of Emergency Proclamation requiring face coverings within the City of Surprise with limited exceptions.

Effective Saturday, June 20, every person over the age of two is required to wear a face covering while in all public settings within the City of Surprise where it is difficult to maintain a minimum physical distance of six (6) feet from others who do not live in the same residence.

Read the Press Release

Read the FAQs

Read the Declaration of Emergency Proclamation

Cases in Surprise:

For information on the number of COVID-19 cases in Arizona by zip code, click here.

Facility Closures:

We will be reclosing City Hall and other city administrative buildings to the public effective 5 p.m. Friday, June 19 until further notice.

This includes service counters for the City Clerk, Cashier and Development Services.

City business will continue to be conducted and core services will not be affected, including fire-medical, police, trash, water and other essential city services.

Please check the “Facilities” tab for more information on which buildings are open / closed and the “City Contacts” tab for information on how to contact city departments.

The city’s outdoor parks and recreation facilities and amenities that have reopened will remain open.

Now Open:

  • Pickleball Courts, with modifications to observe physical distancing recommendations. More info.
  • Dog Parks. Park hours: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
  • Tennis & Raquetball Complex – Tennis and raquetball by reservation only with modifications to observe physical distancing recommendations. More info.
  • Surprise Resource Center resumes regular hours, by appointment only
  • Club swim team practices at Surprise Aquatic Center (Surprise Storm)
  • Sand volleyball courts
  • Skatepark at Dick McComb City Park
  • Park playgrounds
  • Park restrooms & drinking fountains
  • Splash pads
  • Basketball courts 
  • Rentals of park ramadas 
  • Rentals of sports fields 
  • Water aerobics – ages 15 and older (Surprise Aquatic Center & Hollyhock Pool)
  • Lap swim (by appointment) – ages 15 and older (Surprise Aquatic Center & Hollyhock Pool)

To registration for water aerobics and lap swim, visit http://surpriserec.surpriseaz.gov. For questions about Parks & Recreation programming, please call 623.222.2000.

Phased Reopening Plan - The City of Surprise has prepared a phased reopening plan. Each phase will consider the current guidance being provided at the federal and state levels and is subject to change based on that guidance. The plan also considers budget impacts due to COVID-19.

Read the City of Surprise COVID-19 Reopening Plan

Next Phase of Reopening:

The city is actively working to hire and train the seasonal staff needed to operate the following programs in adherence to current CDC guidelines: youth and adult sports; adaptive programming; camps; special interest classes; special events; open swim at city pools; and the reopening of recreation centers. Once staff have been hired and trained, the city will announce exact reopening dates for these programs.

In the meantime, thank you for your patience as we work towards the return of all of our programs and services and the reopening of all of our facilities and amenities in a safe and responsible manner. 

Declaration of Emergency - Mayor Skip Hall issued a declaration of emergency in Surprise on March 18 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is still in effect.

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City Buildings & Amenities

In response to increasing COVID-19 cases in Arizona, city of Surprise will be reclosing City Hall and other city administrative buildings to the public effective 5 p.m. Friday, June 19 until further notice.

This includes service counters for the City Clerk, Cashier and Development Services.

City business will continue to be conducted and core services will not be affected, including fire-medical, police, trash, water and other essential city services. 

The following city facilities will be closed to the public for walk-in services. Select services are available by appointment:

  • City Hall (including service counters for: City Clerk, Cashier, Development Services)
  • Fire Administration 
  • Senior Center (meal delivery and pick-up will continue)
  • Parks & Recreation Offices
  • Countryside Recreation Center 
  • Sierra Montana Recreation Center
  • Villanueva Recreation Center
  • City libraries are managed by Maricopa County Library District and are also closed to the public. Their digital collection is available 24/7 at https://mcldaz.org/emedia. Additionally, curbside pickup options are available at all three Surprise Libraries: Asante, Hollyhock and Northwest Regional Library. Learn more...

Doors will remain open at the following facilities:

  • Police Department
  • Fire Stations 
  • City Court 
  • Surprise Resource Center

The following Parks and Recreation amenities are currently open:

  • Tennis & Racquet Complex - Open play only and by reservation only for tennis. Residents may call 48 hours in advance to reserve a court and non-residents 24 hours in advance. Classes and programs continue to be canceled until further notice. To make a reservation, please call 623.222.2400. Hours are 7-11 a.m. and 5-9 p.m. Monday - Friday and 7-11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Retail and concession areas will remain closed. Visit surpriseaz.gov/tennis for more information.
  • Pickleball Courts - Park hours are 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
  • Dog Parks - Park hours are 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
  • Sand volleyball courts
  • Skatepark at Dick McComb City Park
  • Park playgrounds
  • Splash pads
  • Basketball courts
  • Rentals of park ramadas 
  • Rentals of sports fields 
  • Water aerobics – ages 15 and older (Surprise Aquatic Center & Hollyhock Pool)
  • Lap swim (by appointment) – ages 15 and older (Surprise Aquatic Center & Hollyhock Pool)

The following Parks and Recreation amenities and facilities are currently closed:

  • Parks & Recreation Offices
  • Aquatic Center & Hollyhock Pool (open to club swim, water aerobics and lap swim only)
  • Countryside Recreation Center
  • Sierra Montana Recreation Center
  • Villanueva Recreation Center

Please continue to practice physical distancing while utilizing walking paths or open space and wash or sanitize your hands frequently. Do not use the parks if you are exhibiting symptoms of illness.